howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
Didn't think primary school children had smart phones I think the NUT leader is missing the point here that children should be encouraged to think rather than tap buttons to get an answer for everything. Nowadays when I want to know something I "Google" it and find out the answer then forget it later. Before the Internet we would go down the reference library and hunt down the information required and in doing so had to wade through similar stuff taking in all the information on the way and most of it tended to stick.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/children-dont-need-to-learn-times-tables-because-they-look-them-up-on-their-phone-says-nut-leader-a6795426.htmlJan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#2
Learning times tables is important for every day life, I still occasionally use my tables subconsciously when shopping to compare prices, much quicker than using any mobile phone app.
Facts are slightly different as Google is so useful, quick and efficient. I use it for so many different things from the important to the frivolous.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#3
When did they stop teaching & testing children their times tables?
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#4
Times tables is the very base of learning and should be the very first steps the young ones must take along with spelling.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#5
They haven't Paul but the NUT leader thinks it is pointless.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#6
It's not just the learning but the discipline of learning. Without being used to learning discipline in the early years, children will struggle throughout their school career, especially in today's anti-elitist, prizes-for-all environment, and leave school with very little to show for the huge investment the taxpayer has made in them.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#7
Fully agree Peter discipline in general is vitally important in education - hardly a week goes by without hearing of a child sent home for wearing a skirt too short or having green streaked hair and each time the parent/s complain that it doesn't affect their ability to learn. The point being missed is that when they start work they will have to adhere to a dress code in most jobs. Incidentally I learned my times table in primary school and still know an answer to a question on the subject without having to think unlike recent education ministers who have had a more advanced education.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#8
When advertising for staff in recent years I always asked for applicants to submit cv and covering letter by email. Two reasons- I didn't want staff who couldn't operate a computer at a basic level, and to check if they were capable of following basic instructions. Those who turned up in person with their cv in hand were told to go away and resubmit by email. If an applicant can't follow basic instructions during the application process, how can you be sure he/she will follow directions on the job? Again it's a matter of discipline.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson